Stroller Policy Reminder
Per TriMet’s policy baby strollers are allowed on the bus and customers may board the bus with a child in a stroller. Once they are on the bus, it is TriMet’s policy that the child be removed from the stroller. Collapsible strollers must be folded and stored by the customer after boarding. In all cases (whether on buses or trains) strollers must be positioned in a manner that does not create an obstacle for other passengers.
These policies are a matter of safety. In the event of a collision, or even a hard braking event, a child in a stroller is much more vulnerable and may even become a projectile and cause injury to others.
Some customers may require additional time, effort, assistance and patience to fulfill these requirements. In all cases, responding to questions and challenging situations in a polite, respectful way is always the right choice. If you need assistance with a customer who refuses to comply with the policy, immediately contact Dispatch.
If you any have questions, please see your trainer or transportation manager.
Trimess
Friday, November 18, 2011
Heressssssssssssssssssss SHELLY
With the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday approaching I wanted to take a moment to thank each of you for the contributions you make every day. You are a critical part of the service we deliver.
“Thank you” to the operators who serve our customers day in and day out; the supervisors, controllers and dispatchers that help keep the system moving; the schedule writers who work with limited service hours to provide schedules that work; the station agents who work hard every day to fill the work; and the maintenance personnel who keep buses, trains and non-revenue vehicles running smoothly - as well as keep our infrastructure in good working order and ready for our customers each day.
Looking back on this past year, I want to give special thanks to the MOW team who made sure our TVMs received the latest updates in record time, and to our Rail Equipment Maintenance team for putting their shoulders to the grindstone on preventative maintenance, additionally a big “thank you” to our bus operator training team for completing the bus operator certification program.
I am sure I may have missed a group or two, if I did I hope you will forgive the oversight and know that your work is appreciated.
I wish each of you a safe, warm and happy holiday. Thank you for your commitment to serving our customers and being part of TriMet.
Does Neil really write these little notes?
Staff have been getting our agency ready to take on Mother Nature and all of her antics. As we look at weather reports – there could be a chance of snow in the higher elevations. It’s times like these that our riders rely on us to get them where they’re going – safely. Even when many of us face the same challenges in getting around in inclement weather as our customers, I know I can rely on you to do the right thing – get to work and help the thousands of people who would otherwise be stranded. This is really the time we need “all hands on deck” – from office staff to operators.
It may be cold. You may be all bundled up. But there are three things I ask you to remember while we’re trudging through the snow or ice:
· YOU ARE NEEDED: Each of us needs to be prepared to get to work and do our part during a winter weather event. It takes all of us to do the job!
· SAFETY FIRST: Wind, rain, snow or sun – it’s our value no matter what the forecast holds. Please – be safe out there.
· CUSTOMER SERVICE: When the weather turns ugly – our community turns to TriMet to get them where they’re going. Some folks will be getting on the system for the very first time. Keep that in mind and use those good customer service skills!
My thanks to all of you in advance for rising to the occasion in what is generally the most challenging time of year.
And speaking of challenges—my thanks again to everyone for putting safety first during the continued disruptions in downtown Portland yesterday. You did a great job!
Have a great weekend!
Neil
The true story of a BUS DRIVER fired by the press
The OC Transpo driver who was fired for a tirade against a passenger has provided us his side of the story.
He is devastated at the turn of events - "the insanity" he calls it - the loss of his career, income, peace of mind, only three years short of retirement. "I'm just kind of numb, you know?" He could barely get the story out without tears.
He is devastated at the turn of events - "the insanity" he calls it - the loss of his career, income, peace of mind, only three years short of retirement. "I'm just kind of numb, you know?" He could barely get the story out without tears.
Where is $57 million going to come from?
From "How we Roll" blog:
Our goal is to reduce the average age of our bus fleet from 13 1/2 years to 8 by 2020, and to replace all remaining high-floor buses (those with steps at the door) with low-floor vehicles by 2013.
Lets look at some facts:
All low floor busses have air conditioning and about 33 non low floor busses (2100s) have air conditioning. This means about 200 buses are not low floor buses.
TriMet states that they will receive 55 new low floor air conditioned buses in fall of 2012. In 2013 they will receive another 14 buses making a total of 69 buses.
This leaves about 131 buses that are not low floors. At a price of $440,000.00 that would be a total of $57,640,000.00.
Where is TRIMET planning to get $57+ million dollars in the next two years?
And does anybody have any idea what this means:
That’s why, using grant funding and debt service, we’re replacing 55 of our oldest buses in 2012. (from "how we roll' blog)
Debt service? What in the world does that mean anyway?
Our goal is to reduce the average age of our bus fleet from 13 1/2 years to 8 by 2020, and to replace all remaining high-floor buses (those with steps at the door) with low-floor vehicles by 2013.
Lets look at some facts:
All low floor busses have air conditioning and about 33 non low floor busses (2100s) have air conditioning. This means about 200 buses are not low floor buses.
TriMet states that they will receive 55 new low floor air conditioned buses in fall of 2012. In 2013 they will receive another 14 buses making a total of 69 buses.
This leaves about 131 buses that are not low floors. At a price of $440,000.00 that would be a total of $57,640,000.00.
Where is TRIMET planning to get $57+ million dollars in the next two years?
And does anybody have any idea what this means:
That’s why, using grant funding and debt service, we’re replacing 55 of our oldest buses in 2012. (from "how we roll' blog)
Debt service? What in the world does that mean anyway?
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Toxic runoff at BTC
It is appalling how much runoff there is at the BTC.It drains right into Beaverton Creek.I am sure that if DEQ were to monitor the situation,TriMet would be forced to replace or repair the dinosaurs,which are responsible for most of this pollution.
Here we go again
Planning for Inclement Weather
Wintery weather is in the forecast for November 18 and the coming weekend.
A service plan for November 18 has been developed and communicated to Bus and
Rail Maintenance, Field Operations, OCC, and facilities.
McFarlane addesses the First Transit issue
You may have heard about ATU’s request for TriMet to intervene in their dispute with First Transit, our paratransit contractors. ATU believes that a federal statute referred to as “13(c)” applies to the labor relationship between First Transit and their Multnomah County employees at TriMet’s ATP.
13(c) was enacted to prevent federal funds from being used to destroy the collective bargaining rights of these organized transit workers, and applies where there has been an acquisition by a public transit agency of a private transit company or a worsening of protected employee rights and benefits directly connected with the federal grant.
In the case of First Transit, there has been neither an acquisition of a transit entity nor a worsening of employment conditions caused by the receipt of federal money. Also, the Agreement expressly provides that it does not apply to paratransit programs.
TriMet has contracts with a number of contractors, many of whom have a union workforce, including First Transit. TriMet does not engage in the negotiations of the various individual businesses as they negotiate their contracts (nor are we typically asked to). Each contractor is responsible for their own negotiations and outcomes. While we expect our contractors to follow the law, there is a basic disagreement about whether the law requires arbitration in this instance. That is an issue that is, perhaps, better resolved in another forum.
My hope and my advice to each party, ATU and First Transit, is to sit down and negotiate a settlement, don’t put our customers at risk.
13(c) was enacted to prevent federal funds from being used to destroy the collective bargaining rights of these organized transit workers, and applies where there has been an acquisition by a public transit agency of a private transit company or a worsening of protected employee rights and benefits directly connected with the federal grant.
In the case of First Transit, there has been neither an acquisition of a transit entity nor a worsening of employment conditions caused by the receipt of federal money. Also, the Agreement expressly provides that it does not apply to paratransit programs.
TriMet has contracts with a number of contractors, many of whom have a union workforce, including First Transit. TriMet does not engage in the negotiations of the various individual businesses as they negotiate their contracts (nor are we typically asked to). Each contractor is responsible for their own negotiations and outcomes. While we expect our contractors to follow the law, there is a basic disagreement about whether the law requires arbitration in this instance. That is an issue that is, perhaps, better resolved in another forum.
My hope and my advice to each party, ATU and First Transit, is to sit down and negotiate a settlement, don’t put our customers at risk.
One of the advantages of fixed rail
IT'S EASILY DISRUPTED:
Due to police activity related to Occupy Portland protests, Green and Yellow Line trains are disrupted. Riders should expect delays.
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